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February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness Day in the United States. This is a day in which acts of kindness are encouraged and celebrated! Kindness is not an innate quality that is either present or not, but rather a skill that can be developed through practice and repetition.
There is a lot of evidence that suggests that teaching kindness improves a child’s:
Happiness
The good feelings that students experience by being kind are produced by endorphins that trigger areas of the brain that are related to pleasure, social connection and trust. Children become addicted to this joyous feeling and want to engage in more acts of kindness.
Health
Engaging in random acts of kindness trigger a release of the hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin increases a person’s level of happiness and decreases stress levels.
Self Esteem and Sense of Belonging
When students engage in good deeds they experience a release of endorphins that creates a sense of pride and well being. Studies have shown that being kind helps a child gain popularity and increases one’s ability to form meaningful relationships. Teaching kindness in the home, schools and communities has also been key to decreasing bullying.
Grades
When students experience kindness as the giver, the receiver, or as a witness, it increases a person’s level of serotonin and positive outlook. Increased serotonin levels and positivity have been linked to greater attention span, openness to learning and more creativity which in turn positively affects one’s grades.
So how can kindness be taught?
- Build a strong nurturing relationship with your children. Children need to feel cared for to care for others in return.
- Be a good example. Always use kind words and act in kind ways. Your children need to see you “walk your talk”.
- Point out when you see people show good character. People love to hear compliments so share them freely especially when you see someone doing or saying kind things.
- Help children to recognize and express their feelings in healthy ways.
- Help your child understand and show empathy.
Resources
Please take a look at the following articles for more information regarding the importance of teaching kindness and/or ideas about ways to do this with your child.
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